Carousel Inn Rooty Hill undergoes upgrade, to be renamed The Woodstock

The bangers and mash will still be on offer at a western Sydney watering hole but it will make way for a Mediterranean-inspired menu along with playgrounds and a leafy garden bar in a multimillion dollar spruce-up. Check it out here.

Rooty Hill’s Carousel Inn will be renamed The Woodstock.

Solotel hospitality group is undertaking a multimillion dollar refurbishment of Rooty Hill’s Carousel Inn.

The Inn is to be renamed the Woodstock and will be transformed into a 1000-seat venue with a bistro, garden bar, sports bar, indoor and outdoor playground, an events space and a fireplace.

“The Woodstock is one of the biggest things we’ve ever done as far as size – it’s been a long time coming,’’ Solotel chief executive Elliot Solomon said.

“For us, western Sydney is such a massive growth area for the community and for us we’ve been looking for opportunities for some time.

“The venue was built 30 or 40 years ago and I don’t think there had been much of a renovation since then.’’

The Woodstock will open in spring.

A “huge aspect” of the overhaul will be the food, with Marsden Brewhouse’s Steve Koenig joining The Woodstock as its executive chef.

Fare will shift from traditional pub grub to Mediterranean-inspired classics including grilled meats, pizzas belting out of the wood-fired oven and share plates.

Executive chef Steve Koenig, assistant manager Yasemin Kursun, Solotel chief executive Elliot Solomon and The Woodstock general manager Rhyan O’Halloran at the venue this week. Picture: Esteban La Tessa

“For us the key to food is the quality, it has to be top quality but it’s also got to be the right price and generous as well,’’ Mr Solomon said.

The family-friendly 2000sq m venue will include indoor and outdoor playgrounds with slides, a climbing wall, ping pong tables for the youngsters to enjoy while parents take time out in two new terraces.

There will be a new 250-person capacity functions and event space with audiovisual capabilities fit for corporate events as well as weddings and birthday parties.

Outside, the Garden Bar will provide a “bright and leafy oasis” for weekend catch-ups, after-work drinks and relaxed group gatherings to make the most of the atmospheric space with a rotating cocktail list and house-made slushies.

How the new bistro will look.

The Sports Bar will be fit out with multiple TV screens, and high top seats for beers

and bar snacks.

There will also be a lounge area behind the sports bar for more relaxed seating and sport viewing entertainment with a fireplace.

Solotel – which owns longstanding Parramatta pub the Albion and Double Bay’s Golden Sheaf – bought the Carousel Inn in 2021 and spent that time engaging with patrons about what they wanted to change.

“I feel like it means what we’re delivering is informed by the guests,’’ Mr Solomon said.

The entry in the 2000sq m venue.

Solotel chief executive Elliot Solomon. Picture: Esteban La Tessa

“I think what we’re delivering is what the community wants and I’m excited.’’

The Woodstock will open in late September, with the NRL grand final and school holidays kicking off weeks of opening celebrations.

Originally published as Carousel Inn Rooty Hill undergoes upgrade, to be renamed The Woodstock